Aliaksei Protas

Aliaksei Protas Bio

Aliaksei Uladzimiravich Protas is a Belarusian professional ice hockey winger who plays for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League. Born on January 6, 2001, in Vitebsk, Belarus, Protas developed his skills through youth hockey in Colorado before returning to Belarus to play major junior hockey for the Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League. The Washington Capitals selected him 91st overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He made his professional debut in 2020 and has since become a regular contributor for the Capitals while representing Belarus in international competitions.

Early Life and Background

Aliaksei Protas was born in Vitebsk, Belarus, and began playing hockey in his hometown before his family relocated to Denver, Colorado. In Denver, Protas played youth hockey for the Colorado Evolution for one season, where he continued developing his skills in the American hockey system. After his season with Colorado Evolution, Protas returned to Belarus to pursue his hockey career further.

In Belarus, Protas joined the Belarus U17 team that competed in the Vysshaya Liga, which serves as the second hockey league in the country. He spent two seasons with the Belarus U17 team, gaining valuable experience against older competition. His strong performance at the junior level caught the attention of major junior scouts in North America, setting the stage for his transition to the Western Hockey League.

Path to Professional Hockey

Protas entered the radar of major junior teams through his standout play at the international level. In the 2018 CHL Import Draft, the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League selected him 26th overall. The Raiders, based in Saskatchewan, Canada, acquired the rights to the young Belarusian forward, seeing significant potential in his size, skill, and hockey sense.

Heading into the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Protas was ranked as the 30th best North American skater among draft prospects. His two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders showcased his developing offensive abilities and adaptation to the North American game. The Washington Capitals identified his potential and selected him with the 91st overall pick, adding him to their prospect pipeline.

Aliaksei Protas Career

Western Hockey League Years (2018–2020)

Protas joined the Prince Albert Raiders for the 2018–19 season and made an immediate impact offensively. In his rookie major junior campaign, he recorded 40 points in 61 games, demonstrating consistency and the ability to contribute at the WHL level. His performance established him as a reliable scoring threat and helped the Raiders in their pursuit of playoff positioning.

During the 2019–20 season, Protas experienced a significant offensive breakthrough. In 58 games played before the season was cut short due to COVID-19, he accumulated 80 points, ranking ninth in the entire WHL in scoring. His 80 points also made him the highest-scoring European player in the league that season. The abbreviated campaign ended prematurely, but Protas had proven he could compete at the highest levels of major junior hockey.

Professional Debut and Development (2020–2022)

Following his WHL career, Protas transitioned to professional hockey in the 2020–21 season. He was loaned to HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League, the premier hockey league in Russia and Eastern Europe. In his first professional season, Protas adapted to the faster, more physical professional game, recording 18 points in 58 regular-season games. He added 4 points in 5 playoff games, helping Dinamo Minsk make a postseason run.

With Dinamo Minsk’s season concluded, the Capitals reassigned Protas to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears. This assignment allowed him to continue his development in North American professional hockey while gaining experience in a lesser-known but highly competitive league. The Capitals carefully managed his progression, balancing development time in the AHL with the ultimate goal of NHL integration.

Washington Capitals Breakthrough (2021–Present)

Protas received his first NHL call-up during the 2021–22 season, earning a spot on the Washington Capitals roster. He scored his first career NHL goal on November 28, 2021, during a 4–2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. The milestone goal marked his official arrival in the world’s top hockey league and validated the Capitals’ patience in his development.

Protas continued to establish himself as a reliable NHL player over subsequent seasons. On January 19, 2024, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Capitals worth $3.375 million annually through the 2028–29 season. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his long-term value and role within the team.

During the 2024–25 season, Protas achieved career milestones across the board. He set new personal highs with 30 goals, 36 assists, and 66 total points in the regular season. On March 11, 2025, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a 7–4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, showcasing his offensive evolution into a consistent scoring threat at the NHL level.

Playing Style and Strengths

At 6 feet 6 inches and 250 pounds, Protas brings imposing size to the forward position. His combination of length, reach, and soft hands makes him particularly effective in front of the net and along the boards. He plays a responsible two-way game, contributing both offensively and defensively. His skating has improved steadily since entering the professional ranks, allowing him to better utilize his size advantage. Protas has developed chemistry with his linemates and continues to refine his spatial awareness and positioning in various game situations.

Notable Events and Milestones

Protas reached several significant career milestones during the 2024–25 season. The 66-point campaign represented a substantial jump from his previous seasons, indicating his growth into a more complete offensive player. His first career hat-trick against Anaheim provided a memorable highlight and demonstrated his ability to take over games when opportunities arise. As he enters the prime years of his career, Protas has positioned himself as a key building block for the Capitals’ future.

Aliaksei Protas Career Statistics

Across his NHL career, Protas has accumulated points through consistent offensive contributions. His 2024–25 season marked his most productive year, nearly doubling his previous single-season totals in all offensive categories.

NHL Highlights

Protas debuted with the Washington Capitals during the 2021–22 season and has since appeared in over 200 NHL games. His first NHL goal came against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 28, 2021, a milestone moment in his professional career. The 2024–25 season saw him reach 30 goals and 66 points, representing his most complete statistical season to date. He scored his first career hat-trick on March 11, 2025, against the Anaheim Ducks in a 7–4 Capitals victory.

International Competition

Protas has represented Belarus at the international level, including appearances at two World Junior Championships for the Belarusian national junior team. These tournaments provided valuable experience playing against the world’s top young players and furthered his development before turning professional.

Aliaksei Protas Family

Family Background and Hockey Lineage

Aliaksei Protas comes from a hockey family with clear NHL connections. His younger brother, Ilya Protas, was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. This made the Protas brothers the second set of siblings currently within the Capitals organization, following the team’s investment in Aliaksei’s development. The brothers have both pursued professional hockey careers and share the experience of being drafted by the same NHL franchise.

Personal Life

Protas is married to his wife, Tanya. Together they have two daughters. Their first daughter, Alisa, was born in 2023, and their second daughter, Viktoria, was born in 2026. The family resides in the Washington, D.C. area during the hockey season while Protas continues his career with the Capitals.

2025 Season Performance

The 2024–25 season represented a breakthrough campaign for Protas in many ways. After several seasons of gradual development and increasing responsibility, he emerged as one of the Capitals’ most consistent forwards. The season began with expectations that he could build on his previous progress, but the extent of his improvement exceeded most projections entering the year.

Throughout the season, Protas demonstrated remarkable consistency, particularly in the second half when he elevated his scoring rate. His 30-goal, 66-point season placed him among the Capitals’ top scorers and validated the organization’s belief in his long-term potential. His first career hat-trick against Anaheim provided one of the season’s memorable moments, showcasing his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Looking ahead, Protas enters the 2025–26 season as a proven NHL contributor with significant room for continued growth. At 25 years old, he remains in the early portion of his prime years and should continue to assume greater offensive responsibilities within the Capitals’ forward group. His five-year contract extension ensures he will be a core part of the team’s plans through the end of the decade.